Sports towel apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a combination carrying pouch and towel, the towel forming a cleaning device, and capable of being releasably secured to a golf bag or to the waist of a golfer or other user having need for access to towels and items for use in situ.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a completion application of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/602,537 filed Aug. 17, 2004, for “Sports Towel Apparatus”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to sports accessories, and, more specifically, to a device for facilitating the ready use of a towel to ensure that the towel can easily be employed in a usable position, the device for and in combination with a sports towel, and adapted to be attached to a carrier, such as a golf bag or the belt loop or waistband of a user.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Towels and other absorbent materials are used by tradesmen, such as, painters, bartenders, waitresses, and roofers, to name a few. Towels and other absorbent materials are used by sporting event participants in a variety of services. Towels are used to wipe face and hands, clean soiled equipment such as golf balls, golf clubs, tennis racket handles, and tools.

Golf towels are carried in pockets, golf carts, or stored in hard to get compartments on a golf bag. The non-attachable towel most likely will end up lost or bulging out of a pocket. This method of carrying a towel can become an inconvenient task. Trying to locate a misplaced towel can take the sportsmen's concentration away from the sport.

In the case of golf, when the towel is strapped or tucked into a golf bag, it requires the golfer to return to the bag to use the towel.

Also, the golfer typically desires to carry for ready access cleats, tees, golf balls, and the like. Desirably, the user can both carry such golf items and use the towel as the game progresses.

By way of example, attention is drawn to U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,661, Sports Towel, issued May 11, 1999 to Oster.

It is to be appreciated that there is a need for improvements in such apparatus.

The present invention removes burdens of prior art apparatus by employing a sports pouch having means for attaching the towel thereto and means for attaching the sports pouch to an article of clothing, such as a belt loop or waist band, or a golf bag. This method of attachment ensures the availability of the towel, easy attachment and release of the towel, and easy access to golf items when needed. In addition the towel can be removed from the pouch for washing and/or replaced by a new towel, and the pouch isolates and stores dirty golf items from the towel as the golf game progresses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a combination carrying pouch and towel, the towel forming a cleaning device, and capable of being releasably secured to a golf bag or to the waist of a golfer or other user having need for access to towels and items for use in situ. Although particulary discussed in reference with golfing, the application extends to many uses wherein a user has need for transporting items to be used, such as tools including, for example, spike cleaners, divot repairers as well as additional spikes, tees and the like, and the need for a towel, such as for cleaning his hands or the items transported.

In a preferred embodiment according to this invention there is provided an apparatus for and in combination with a towel, comprising:

-   -   (a) a sports towel, said towel comprising a two sided-absorbent         textured material for wiping one's hands or pieces of equipment         associated with a sport,     -   (b) a sports pouch, said pouch comprising a first piece of         material having a first exterior surface and a second surface, a         second piece of material having a first exterior surface and a         second surface, means for joining said first and second pieces         to one another in a manner that the second surfaces are         juxtaposed with one another and form an interior pocket for         retaining the pieces of equipment, and means for permitting         access to the pocket interior, the means for permitting being         associated with said first piece of material,     -   (c) first means for releasably securing the sports towel to said         sports pouch, and     -   (d) second means for releasably securing the sports pouch to a         carrier, such as a user and/or a golf bag.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, at least one said first and second piece of material comprises a polymeric material, resistant to the elements, such as vinyl. According to a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the first piece of material is vinyl and the second piece of material is said absorbent textured material. According to another preferred aspect of this embodiment, both pieces of material are vinyl.

Also and according to this first preferred embodiment, the exterior surfaces of the two sides of the sports towel are comprised of different textured materials. Preferably, the second piece of material of the sports pouch and one side of the sports towel are comprised of substantially the same texture. More particularly, the texture of the one side has a pile texture and the texture of the other side of the towel is a felt texture. Alternatively, the texture may be the same fro both sides of the towel, as well as the pouch.

Further and according to this invention, the first means for releasably securing the sports towel to said sports pouch comprises the peripheral edges of one and the other of said sports towel and said sports pouch including (1) complementarily interengageable hook and loop fastening strips (i.e., Velcro®), or (2) zipper structure, or (3) engageable snap structure.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the second means for releasably securing the sports pouch to said carrier comprises an eyelet extending from the outer periphery of said sports pouch, and a clasp for releasable connection to an article of clothing of the user, or to a golf bag, gym bag, or other transport device, the clasp being attached to the eyelet.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention the means for permitting access to the pocket interior comprises an elongated slot being provided in said first sheet of material, and a zipper structure associated with said slot to permit the slot to be opened and closed and access gained to the interior of the pouch.

In an aspect according to this invention, the means for permitting access to the pocket interior comprises said first piece being formed from an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining, at least in part, a flap adapted to overlap and lie against the lower portion, and means for releasably securing the upper and lower portions together, such securement comprising a snap, a zipper, or a hook and loop fastener.

In an aspect of this invention, the first and second pieces have complementary peripheral edge portions, and the means for joining includes said pieces being sewn or stitched together along complementary peripheral edge portions.

Further and according to this invention there is provided a combination cleaning device and carrying case apparatus adapted to be releasably secured to a golf bag for use by a golfer to store and transport personal items, golf accessories, such as balls, tees, pencils, score cards and the like and to clean golf equipment and accessories and wiping the hands of a golfer, comprising:

-   -   a towel, said towel having opposite sides each of a         predetermined texture,     -   a pouch for storing and transporting personal items and         accessories,     -   means for releasably attaching the pouch to said golf bag, and     -   means for releasably fastening said towel to said pouch.

In a first aspect according to this embodiment of the invention, the pouch is comprised, at least in part, of a sheet of water resistant material, such as vinyl, which defines an interior pocket, and includes closure structure for opening and closing the pouch to permit access to the interior of the pocket, and the means for releasably fastening said pouch and said towel includes complementary hook and wire (i.e., Velcro®) strips.

In a second aspect according to this embodiment of the invention, the pouch includes a second sheet comprised of a textured material, and the second sheet is joined to the vinyl sheet by sewing or stitching. Preferably, the predetermined texture on the at least one side of the towel is substantially the same as the textured material, which forms the second sheet of the pouch.

In a preferred aspect, both sheets of the pouch are comprised of vinyl or leather.

In a further embodiment hereof, there is provided a towel, the towel having opposite sides each of the same texture and a wiping material of a second predetermined texture, the towel and the wiping material or cloth each being removably secured or releasably fastened to the pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of a combined sports pouch and sports towel apparatus, according to the present invention, shown secured to a golf bag;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the front side of the combined apparatus shown in FIG. 1, according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the rear side of the combined apparatus shown in FIG. 1, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the combined sports pouch and sports towel apparatus, illustrating the removal of the sports towel from the sports pouch; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a device for attachment of a towel, such as to a golf bag, movable cart, or an article of clothing. According to a particular embodiment, this invention comprises a combination cleaning device and carrying case or pouch apparatus adapted to be releasably secured to a golf bag for use by a golfer to store and transport personal items, golf accessories, such as balls, tees, pencils, score cards and the like and to clean golf equipment and accessories and wiping the hands of a golfer.

Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is an illustrative embodiment of one example of a combination carrying pouch and towel apparatus according to the present invention when used for golfing, the apparatus generally indicated at 10. Shown is a golf bag 12 having the combined apparatus 10 attached thereto and within easy reach whereby a golfer can clean golf equipment, such as clubs and balls, as well as, wipe his hands. However, depending on the need and/or application, the combination apparatus 10 may be secured to the golfer as well as to a golf cart.

Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is a front plan view of the combined apparatus 10 according to this invention. The apparatus 10 is substantially flat, planar, thin, and comprises a sport pouch 16 and a sport towel 18. As will be discussed herein below, the sport towel 18 is secured along one peripheral edge thereof to a corresponding peripheral edge of the sport pouch and is adapted to be removed from securement to the sport pouch 16.

According to this invention, the sports towel 18 is generally rectangular and includes opposite sides 20 and 22. The towel 18 is comprised of absorbent textured material for wiping one's hands and/or pieces of equipment carried in the pouch 16. Preferably, the surfaces of the sides 20 and 22 are of a predetermined texture, with the sides being of a different texture. Preferably, the texture of the side 20 has a pile texture and the texture of the side 22 has a felt texture. In some applications, both sides 20 and 22 may be of the same texture.

The sports pouch 16 comprises a shaped first piece of material or sheet 24 having an exterior surface 26 and an interior surface 28, and a shaped second piece of material or sheet 30 having an exterior surface 32 and an interior surface 34. The outer peripheries of the two shaped sheets 24 and 30 are secured to one another, such as by stitching or sewing, as indicated at 31, in a manner that the interior surfaces 28 and 34 of the sheets 24 and 30 are juxtaposed with one another and form an interior pocket 36 for retaining items or equipment to be carried.

Preferably, and according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, at least one the two sheets 24 and 30 is comprised of a polymeric material, such as vinyl, so as to be durable in use and resist deterioration by exposure to the elements. In the embodiment illustrated, the sheet 24 is comprised of vinyl or leather and the sheet 30 is comprised of an absorbent textured material, such as the pile texture of the side 20 of the towel 18. As such, the combined surfaces of the sheet 30 and the textured side 20 provide an attractive continuous surface. In some applications, both sheets 24 and 30 may be comprised of a like leather or vinyl material, whereby to provide an exterior surface that is attractive and appears to be continuous and smooth.

The vinyl sheet 24 is generally one-piece and centrally provided with an opening whereby to permit access into the pocket 36. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention the opening comprises an elongated horizontal slot, which is provided with a zipper structure 38, which permits the slot to be opened (and closed) and access gained to the interior of the pocket 36. As shown in FIG. 2, the zipper 38 includes a pull-tab 39 to effectuate opening and closing of the zipper.

In an aspect according to this invention, the sheet 24 that forms the pocket 36 may comprise a pair of sheets and form a closable flap structure. In this regard, the vinyl sheet 24 comprises an upper sheet and a lower sheet. The lower sheet is defined by three sides, stitched to the textured sheet 30, whereby to form the pocket 24, and an upper edge or fourth side, which defines an inlet to the pocket. The upper sheet forms a flap, defined by an upper edge that is stitched to the textured material 30, and by three sides that are free. The upper sheet is suitably dimensioned to extend in covering relation over the upper edge of the lower sheet and a fastener is provided for securing the lower end portions of the upper and lower sheets together. The fastener may comprise engageable snap structure, a zipper, or a hook and loop fastener, commonly referred to as Velcro®.

Further and according to this invention, complementarily interengageable strips 40 and 42 of hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro®), are provided along opposed peripheral edges 44 and 46, respectively, of the sport pouch 16 and sport towel 18 releasably securing the sports towel to the sports pouch. While the use of Velcro® is preferred, zipper or snap structure may also be employed.

Further and according to this invention, an eyelet of fabric loop 48 is provided on the upper periphery of the sport pouch 16, to which is provided a clasp 50. The clasp 50 releasably secures the sports pouch to the golf bag, the waistband of the wearer, or to a desired apparatus.

The clasp 50 is preferably includes a clasp body 52, mountable to the eyelet 48, and a clasping portion 54, which is journalled for rotation relative to clasp body. In the embodiment illustrated, the clasping portion 54 includes a pair of clasp elements 54 a and 54 b, with element 54 b being which is manually movable between a first closed position (as shown) and rotated (in the direction of the arrow) to an open position to allow clasping fitment about structure, such as a hook 11 of the golf bag, or the waist band of the golfer, or apparatus to which the cleaning apparatus 10 is to be attached.

Turning to FIG. 4, the combined apparatus 10 is shown in exploded relation with the Velcro® strips 40 and 42 of the sport towel 18 and sport pouch 16 being positioned for securement to one another. The sport towel 18 is shown with one corner folded upwardly to show structure of both sides 20 and 22 of the towel, and the Velcro® strip 42 on the side 22 which engages with the Velcro® strip 40 on the sports pouch 16.

Now, and with reference to FIG. 5 there is shown therein a further embodiment of the present invention. According hereto, a wiping towel 150, such as chamois cloth 150 is used alone or conjointly with the towel 18. The cloth 150 is a planar member having opposed sides 152 and 154. A securing strip 158′ is secured to one side 152 or 154 along a peripheral edge of the cloth 150. The strip 158 is, preferably, a hook and loop fastening strip. A complementary first strip 140 is disposed along the peripheral edge 44 of the pouch 16 on one side thereof. The first strip 140 is adapted to releaseably engage and secure the complementary strip 158 thereto. A second strip 140′ disposed on the opposite side of the pouch 16 engages the complementary peripheral hook and loop strip provided along the peripheral edge of the towel 18. In practicing this embodiment, the wiping cloth 150 is of a material and texture different from that of the towel. Thus, the present pouch is capable of having one or more suspended clothes or towels and the like. In all other respects this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.

Having, thus, described the invention 

1. An apparatus for and in combination with a towel, comprising: a sports towel, said towel comprising a two sided-absorbent textured material for wiping one's hands or pieces of equipment associated with a sport, a sports pouch, said pouch comprising a first piece of material having a first exterior surface and a second surface, a second piece of material having a first exterior surface and a second surface, means for joining said first and second pieces to one another in a manner that the second surfaces are juxtaposed with one another and form an interior pocket for retaining the pieces of equipment, and means for permitting access to the pocket interior, the means for permitting being associated with said first piece of material, first means for releasably securing the sports towel to said sports pouch, and second means for releasably securing the sports pouch to a carrier.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second pieces of material comprises a polymeric material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first piece of material is vinyl and the second piece of material is said absorbent textured material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein both pieces of material are vinyl.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exterior surfaces of the two sides of the sports towel are comprised of different textures.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a third means for releasably securing a second piece of material from said sports pouch.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second piece of material is a chamois wiping cloth.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the third means for releasably securing the cloth to the sports pouch comprises: a hook and loop fastening strip disposed on a peripheral edge of the towel in a complementary hook and loop fastening strip disposed on a peripheral edge of the pouch.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises one of the means for permitting access to the pocket interior comprises said first piece being formed from an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining, at least in part, a flap overlapping and overlying the lower portion, and the means for releasably securing the upper portions together.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first means for releasably securing the towel to the sports pouch comprises: a hook and loop fastening strip disposed on a peripheral edge of the towel and a complementary hook and loop fastening strip disposed on a peripheral edge of the pouch.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pouch has upper and lower end portions, respectively, adapted to connect to the golf bag and be spaced therefrom, ands said second piece of material ands sports towel are secured, simultaneously and in overlapped juxtaposed relation with one another, to the lower end portion of the pouch and in a manner to permit independent removal of each from the pouch for use separate and apart therefrom.
 12. A combination cleaning device and carrying case apparatus adapted to be releasably secured to a golf bag for use by a golfer to store and transport personal items, wherein said items comprise golf accessories, golf balls, tees, pencils, score cards, and material for cleaning golf equipment and accessories and wiping the hands of a golfer, comprising: a pouch for storing and transporting personal items and accessories, means for releasably attaching the pouch to said golf bag, a towel, said towel having opposite sides each of a predetermined texture, and first means for releasably fastening said towel to said pouch.
 13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the pouch is comprised, at least in part, of a vinyl sheet of water resistant material, which defines an interior pocket, and includes closure structure for opening and closing the pouch to permit access to the interior of the pocket, and the means for releasably fastening said pouch and said towel includes complementary hook and loop strips.
 14. The combination according to claim 13, wherein the pouch is comprised, at least in part, of a second sheet, said second sheet being comprised of a textured material and joined to the vinyl sheet by sewing or stitching, the predetermined texture on the at least one side of the towel is substantially the same as the textured material which forms the second sheet of the pouch.
 15. The combination according to claim 14, wherein both sheets of the pouch are comprised of water resistant material.
 16. The combination according to claim 15, wherein the sheets are selected form the group consisting of leather, nylon, vinyl, and like polymeric materials.
 17. The combination as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a towel, wherein the towel has opposite sides, each side of which having substantially the same texture, and a wiping material of a second predetermined texture, the towel and the wiping material or cloth each being removably secured or releasably fastened to the pouch and, when secured to the pouch, disposed in juxtaposed overlapped relation, at least in part, with the towel.
 18. The combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein the pouch includes an upper end portion adapted for securement to the golf bag and a lower end portion, the towel and the wiping material each include an upper edge and a lower edge, and further comprising means for releasably fastening said wiping cloth to said pouch, each said means for releasably attaching operating, respectively, to attach the respective upper edges of the towel and wiping cloth to the lower end portion of the pouch and comprises complementary hook and loop fastening elements. 